Valuing Collective Knowledge...The Research and The Reality.
Paragraph:
How do you use your colleagues as a resource? Although we all value the collective knowledge of our colleagues, it can be difficult to find ways to exchange ideas, questions and teaching challenges with each other without feeling like we are being evaluated. Initially, we wanted to improve upon our collaborative working relationship, through peer observations and knowledge sharing during our team meetings. We wanted to create a safe atmosphere where team camaraderie could be built based on our mutual appreciation for the work of our colleagues. We will discuss how it has worked for us so far, as well as what the research shows typically occurs when the peer observation model is used.
Presentation Outline:
Welcome and Introductions
How we got started: Original goals
Our first attempts
How it was presented to our team
1st draft of our observation tool
Small group discussions about 1st draft
whole group feedback
The reality of the 1st draft
2nd draft
3rd draft. Video presentation to whole group.
small group viewing of individual videos with usage of 3rd draft tool and discussion.
Whole group discussion of findings/ideas.
wrap up of ideas.
Hello Valuing Collective Knowledge Group -
We appreciate that you are just beginning this process as a group and we are eager to support you in any way we can. First, can we clarify your goals/purposes - is it to bring your team closer together or to develop protocols for sharing and collaborating with colleagues. Can you tell us how you came to this point? Help us understand how you went from the goal of moving "closer or having a stronger team without making teachers feel like they were being evaluated" to developing "forms and protocols for sharing and collaborating with others"? In order to support you, some more background knowledge would really help you.
Thanks!
The Group
Hello Group,
We are excited to get started with this project. Our goal is to bring our team closer together and come to a place where we are comfortable sharing, collaborating and supporting eachother. Our initial idea was "team building" for our group, and then began to think of ideas that would help us move closer to having a stronger team without making teachers feel like they were being evaluated or critiqued.
We have started developing forms and protocal for sharing and collaborating with collegues. We began sharing our inspirations, ideas and projects during our team meetings. This week our group discussed how things are progressing and how we can revise forms and team conversation times together.
Today, we revised our observation forms and discussed moving our group forward in the process through continued sharing.
Hello Valuing Collective Knowledge Group:
We are so excited about the creation of this group. It is so interesting to see the progression that some of your group members made from teacher reflection to collegial sharing. It seems like such a natural bridge. Often when we reflect on our practice, we not only discover the wealth of knowledge that we have, but also what we need to learn still and what we are passionate about. It is inspiring that you are looking to other Baker teachers as a resource for your professional growth.
Your group’s name reminds us of what Kimeri spoke about at our last professional development day: colleagues as resources. The knowledge and passions of Baker’s teachers is immense, and our interactions can be so rich and dynamic if we are willing to learn from each other. Often as teachers we are consumed by our classroom worlds, and when we open ourselves up it can be a bit scary but definitely rewarding. We think that the work that you do could inspire other teachers to seek out other teachers’ support and knowledge.
At the last faculty meeting we saw the observation form that your group had created. It seemed like an amazing tool. Since there were not notes on your Wiki (tisk, tisk!), we are not sure of your group’s goals and plans. How do you see your work affecting your practice? How do you see your work affecting Baker as a whole? The idea of collective knowledge is powerful, and we would love to know your vision.
On that note, we are also curious about your plans for the April symposium. Remember that there is a great deal of flexibility on how you contribute. You do not have to have all of the answers by April! The questions that you uncover in the upcoming months could lead to a rich discussion at the symposium as well. Please let us know your ideas.
Remember to keep your Wiki page updated. It is not only helpful to us, but is also a valuable tool to show the progress you have made and the questions that you have as well. It would also be great if you could put the form you created on your Wiki page-other teachers might find it useful!
Please let us know anything that we can do to help. Also, would you be interested in speaking with anyone from NLU? Would you like help from the administration to observe and meet with other teachers. Let us know-we are happy to help!
-The Group
Inquiry Group Update
Date: September 30, 2011
Names: Lisa Kampwirth, Tracy Aiden
Primary contact person: Tracy Aiden
Statement summarizing focus:
Where are you individually?
Where are you as a group?
Possibilities for April symposium contribution: Poster session, presentation, workshop, panel, discussion facilitator, show video of classroom/discussion, ask students to participate in panel, show artifacts from class, lead activity. These are some ideas, but remember that there are many other possibilities. Feel free to think outside the box!
Where are you going individually? (Please include initial idea for the symposium in April):
Where are you going as a group? (Please include initial idea for the symposium in April):
Working Title:
Valuing Collective Knowledge...The Research and The Reality.
Paragraph:
How do you use your colleagues as a resource? Although we all value the collective knowledge of our colleagues, it can be difficult to find ways to exchange ideas, questions and teaching challenges with each other without feeling like we are being evaluated. Initially, we wanted to improve upon our collaborative working relationship, through peer observations and knowledge sharing during our team meetings. We wanted to create a safe atmosphere where team camaraderie could be built based on our mutual appreciation for the work of our colleagues. We will discuss how it has worked for us so far, as well as what the research shows typically occurs when the peer observation model is used.
Presentation Outline:
Hello Valuing Collective Knowledge Group -
We appreciate that you are just beginning this process as a group and we are eager to support you in any way we can. First, can we clarify your goals/purposes - is it to bring your team closer together or to develop protocols for sharing and collaborating with colleagues. Can you tell us how you came to this point? Help us understand how you went from the goal of moving "closer or having a stronger team without making teachers feel like they were being evaluated" to developing "forms and protocols for sharing and collaborating with others"? In order to support you, some more background knowledge would really help you.
Thanks!
The Group
Hello Group,
We are excited to get started with this project. Our goal is to bring our team closer together and come to a place where we are comfortable sharing, collaborating and supporting eachother. Our initial idea was "team building" for our group, and then began to think of ideas that would help us move closer to having a stronger team without making teachers feel like they were being evaluated or critiqued.
We have started developing forms and protocal for sharing and collaborating with collegues. We began sharing our inspirations, ideas and projects during our team meetings. This week our group discussed how things are progressing and how we can revise forms and team conversation times together.
Today, we revised our observation forms and discussed moving our group forward in the process through continued sharing.
Hello Valuing Collective Knowledge Group:
We are so excited about the creation of this group. It is so interesting to see the progression that some of your group members made from teacher reflection to collegial sharing. It seems like such a natural bridge. Often when we reflect on our practice, we not only discover the wealth of knowledge that we have, but also what we need to learn still and what we are passionate about. It is inspiring that you are looking to other Baker teachers as a resource for your professional growth.
Your group’s name reminds us of what Kimeri spoke about at our last professional development day: colleagues as resources. The knowledge and passions of Baker’s teachers is immense, and our interactions can be so rich and dynamic if we are willing to learn from each other. Often as teachers we are consumed by our classroom worlds, and when we open ourselves up it can be a bit scary but definitely rewarding. We think that the work that you do could inspire other teachers to seek out other teachers’ support and knowledge.
At the last faculty meeting we saw the observation form that your group had created. It seemed like an amazing tool. Since there were not notes on your Wiki (tisk, tisk!), we are not sure of your group’s goals and plans. How do you see your work affecting your practice? How do you see your work affecting Baker as a whole? The idea of collective knowledge is powerful, and we would love to know your vision.
On that note, we are also curious about your plans for the April symposium. Remember that there is a great deal of flexibility on how you contribute. You do not have to have all of the answers by April! The questions that you uncover in the upcoming months could lead to a rich discussion at the symposium as well. Please let us know your ideas.
Remember to keep your Wiki page updated. It is not only helpful to us, but is also a valuable tool to show the progress you have made and the questions that you have as well. It would also be great if you could put the form you created on your Wiki page-other teachers might find it useful!
Please let us know anything that we can do to help. Also, would you be interested in speaking with anyone from NLU? Would you like help from the administration to observe and meet with other teachers. Let us know-we are happy to help!
-The Group
Inquiry Group Update
Date: September 30, 2011
Names: Lisa Kampwirth, Tracy Aiden
Primary contact person: Tracy Aiden
Statement summarizing focus:
Where are you individually?
Where are you as a group?
Possibilities for April symposium contribution: Poster session, presentation, workshop, panel, discussion facilitator, show video of classroom/discussion, ask students to participate in panel, show artifacts from class, lead activity. These are some ideas, but remember that there are many other possibilities. Feel free to think outside the box!
Where are you going individually? (Please include initial idea for the symposium in April):
Where are you going as a group? (Please include initial idea for the symposium in April):